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We’re all pretty familiar with our cats’ everyday meows and other cat sounds, but when the pitch gets higher, drawn-out, melodic and “yowly,” it’s time to really pay attention. This type of sound is called caterwauling, and there’s nearly always a reason behind it — we humans just have to pause for further examination. Here are some reasons why you might hear caterwauling, and what you can do to help remedy the situation.

1. Cats caterwaul because they’re in pain

What does caterwauling mean? Photography by Valery Kudryavtsev/Thinkstock.

Cats are known for hiding their pain, so if your cat starts caterwauling, and there’s not an immediate reason why this would be happening, start with a veterinary visit to rule out anything health related. In addition to several medical causes that could result in caterwauling, cats of all ages can develop overactive thyroid and kidney disease, both of which can result in excessive vocalizations, including caterwauling.

2. Caterwauling might signal the need to breed

Cats who are not spayed or neutered can produce plenty of noise. Female cats in heat caterwaul to attract a male, and males who aren’t neutered caterwaul when they know a female is in heat. The best way to remedy this situation as well as help control cat overpopulation: Spay and neuter your cats.

3. Cats caterwaul to alert us to outside activity

Most of us have heard our cats making caterwauling sounds and rushed to see what’s up, only to find kitty looking out a window with great concern. Upon further investigation, we’ll typically see another cat who’s planted him or herself on our cat’s “turf,” which doesn’t sit well with the territorial feline master or mistress of the house. Remove the source of the agitation by closing windows and blinds to restrict your cat’s view of the “intruder.”

4. Cats might caterwaul when they are feeling insecure or vulnerable

Cats are known to yowl when they’re feeling psychological stress like insecurity or vulnerability. Some cats are naturally clingy and feel anxious when their human leaves the house — or even the room. They feel abandoned and then the caterwauling begins.

This can especially be true when the family changes residences. The cat is no longer familiar with his surroundings, so he feels even more stressed when he can’t find the comfort of his human.

If you know your cat is subject to these kinds of behaviors, it’s important to anticipate his needs and reactions and reassure him of his safety. Bring him to bed with you at night so he sees that you haven’t left him alone. Give him extra cuddles, especially when there are possible triggers like company coming over or a change in housing.

5. Cats caterwaul to get your attention

Some cats resort to caterwauling when they want or need something from us. It could be food, water, physical attention, play or any number of reasons. While it’s important to make sure our cats’ basic needs are met, they’ve been known to use caterwauling as a manipulation tool. If you get up to give your cat treats when he starts caterwauling in the middle of the night, he’ll soon learn that caterwauling = treats. Of course, it’s critical to have him examined by a vet to rule out any serious reasons for the caterwauling; however, sometimes cats are like human toddlers, and they know how to train us.

6. Caterwauling might mean you cat is disoriented

As cats age, we sometimes see changes in their cognitive functioning. According to the ASPCA, feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD) affects more than 55 percent of cats aged 11 to 15 years old and more than 80 percent of cats aged 16 to 20. Excessive vocalization and caterwauling can be just one symptom of FCD, but it’s important to familiarize yourself with all the symptoms, especially if you share your life with a senior cat. Here’s the ASPCA’s cognitive dysfunction checklist.

Don’t ignore caterwauling

If your cat begins caterwauling, don’t assume it’s typical cat behavior. Stop and look for reasons why it’s happening, and take the appropriate actions. As always, check with a veterinary professional to rule out anything serious, or if you have any concerns at all about your cat’s health or behavior.

19 comments on “Caterwauling — What Is It and Why Do Cats Do It?”

One of my cats caterwauls when he catches a ‘prey’. He walks around with the toy in his mouth making these noises. Could it be that he wants to inform us that the hunt was successful, or warbs other cats to stay away?

Our cat Cairo, now deceased, used to caterwaul when left behind, eg, when our other cat Gibson was getting his walk, on a leash, with my husband. She’d start when on her window perch watching outside. She’d caterwaul when alone upstairs, too. Almost seemed like she needed to hear her own voice.

My Walter does some caterwauling when he wants food and doesn’t like what’s in his dish. I pretty much ignore this as long as I know it’s just that he wants different food. I give him a little extra attention but I don’t want him to get into the habit of behaving with the caterwauling to get food.
Last night though, after we were in bed, he began caterwauling after looking out the window and was restless and kept up this for about a half hour til I got him to come up on the bed with me and I cuddled with him. This morning my husband went out early to take out the trash and there were cat footprints in the yard, so I’m pretty sure that’s what he was caterwauling about. I’m closing the shade tonight!

My senior kitty, Belle, starts caterwauling at night about 10 minutes after I turn the lights out. I have multiple cats , so first I wasn’t sure who it was, because when I’d get up to look or turn on the light, she’d stop! Is this because she’s afraid of the dark? She doesn’t do it every night.

My alpha cat has caterwauled (along with the zoonies) approximately 3 times a week for for over5 years – ever since I brought her & her sister home from the shelter. She usually does it after eating or using the litterbox. I always figured she was displeased with her dinner or the litter box that night.

The Caterwauling last about 5 or 10 minutes accompanied by “the zoomies” – racing around the my apartment and ending up at the top of her cat condo or another high object.

I have never known why she caterwauled or zoomed but she doesn’t seem to be the worse for it!

My large smoke Egyptian Mau, Ramses, only caterwauls in one particular instance. We have a large cabin in the mountains where we spend several weeks at a time. Because we are gone so long, I drive up and bring the cats. This house has a third floor with a loft (as well a a couple of bedrooms and a bath). Ramses runs up the stairs to the loft (which overlooks the main living area) and then proceeds to caterwaul. It is a weird sound! Sort of a “rowrrrr” or raaaaarwor”. Sometimes he sounds like a baby, “waaaaahhh.” I often thinks he just likes the sound of his own voice! Or he runs up there and forgets how to get down. He will stick his head out through the bannisters that overlook the living room and holler. If I go upstairs and get him, he will stop.

I love your comment and I want to vacation with you, sounds like a wonderful place. My Munchie cat will merrroowww when he gets lost, he is blind and sometimes forgets where he is I think, or else just wants some pets…cats are so cool. My other cat Tayler just says meh.

Really interesting read! My cat seems to caterwaul for a few different reasons…When he has a fur ball and is about to bring it up, at night when he gets a little burst of energy and wants to play and get everyone’s attention when they have gone to bed, and when he is carrying a toy to present as a gift. It’s a very odd sound – not like a meow at all.

This is exactly what we experience with our 10 year old neutered male cat. While we watch TV, he goes in the other room and “caterwauls’ to his heart content playing with his toys. At times he brings them out to us and causes stress for my husband who then cannot hear the tv over all the catetwauling! I finds the whole situation very entertaining! I love my Leo and all of his unique habits!